I'm sorry, but I don't know what to do!!

[sister]

I have had a running head, sneezing,blowing constantly since I started on c-pap in january! Now my right eye is tearing and running constantly and this has been going on for 10 days now. I hardly can even talk to anybody, my head is running so bad. Now, i had severe allergies before c-pap but i take Zyrtec every morning and allergy shots every 3 weeks and before c-pap I had my allergies under control. I think the c-pap is causing all this and I am so tired of it. I have been adjusting my humidifier and that has not helped.I was at a setting of 5 and i have slowly come down to a setting of 1 but i don't see any difference. Is there anybody that has severe allergies and c-pap?

[LoQ]

my head is running so bad.

I have never heard that expression before and have no idea what it means. You used it twice, so I assume you think it is a significant symptom. Exactly what do you mean by that?

[rubymom]

How do you feel all day? Are your allergies controlled all day by the medications?

Is it possible that you have something beside an allergy and you keep reinfecting yourself? What is your cleaning routine like? Just makes me think that they tell you to get a new toothbrush after you've been sick so you don't reinfect yourself. Seems like it would be even more important to thoroughly clean, if not replace the mask, hose, etc. with your symptoms.

[LSAT]

Sister..........You are breathing the same air you were breathing before CPAP, but, now it is filtered. I don't know where you are , but, for much of the country it's hay fever season. I have not been bothered by hay fever in over 30 years, but, this year my symptoms started about a week ago. I think the excessive rains have brought a terrible allergy season upon us. Stock up on a few extra boxes of Kleenex and keep using the CPAP.

[Patrick A]

I don't know where you're located at. Being So.Cal myself I have had many a morning waking up with my sinuses running, I took an otc sinus med. it seemed to help. I have been told to use my humidifier, but I see, that you are using yours. I have never used mine (knock on wood) When I first got my Cpap Machine 5 years ago the RT @ Apria Rip off said that if I didn't have to use the humidifier not to use it,and that I would be better off if I didn't use it. So 5 years later I am still not using it and I am not having any sinus problems. jmho
I would say try using it as a passover humidifier. If it's heated don't turn it on for a couple of days and see if that helps.
Good luck.

[sister]

my head is running so bad.

I have never heard that expression before and have no idea what it means. You used it twice, so I assume you think it is a significant symptom. Exactly what do you mean by that?

hi, it means that my nose runs constantly,i sneeze constantly.and my eyes are tearing and running all the time, have been since the first of january when i went on c-pap.I am driving my family crazy with all the sneezing.

[sister]

How do you feel all day? Are your allergies controlled all day by the medications?

Is it possible that you have something beside an allergy and you keep reinfecting yourself? What is your cleaning routine like? Just makes me think that they tell you to get a new toothbrush after you've been sick so you don't reinfect yourself. Seems like it would be even more important to thoroughly clean, if not replace the mask, hose, etc. with your symptoms.

No, I have been to my allergist and he says he thinks it is coming from the c-pap,forcing of the air down my throat. I really don't think anyone could keep the mask any cleaner than i do,i wash the mask,water chamber,hose every morning,just got a new mask,only use those 1 month.i am very careful about this because of my allergies and because i am an operating room technician who worked in the operating room for many years.
i feel absolutely terrible all day, but thanks for asking!

[sister]

Sister..........You are breathing the same air you were breathing before CPAP, but, now it is filtered. I don't know where you are , but, for much of the country it's hay fever season. I have not been bothered by hay fever in over 30 years, but, this year my symptoms started about a week ago. I think the excessive rains have brought a terrible allergy season upon us. Stock up on a few extra boxes of Kleenex and keep using the CPAP.

Hi, yes i know i'm breathing the same air, i know it's allergy season now but this has been nonstop since jan. when i went on c-pap. You see this is the second time i have tried c-pap.i tried the first time in 2006 and had the same symptoms for 15 months. Finally my dr. told me, you are not a candidate for c-pap and recommended i have the surgery [UPPP]. I had the surgery and was told dec. of last year that the apnea was back.

[sister]

I don't know where you're located at. Being So.Cal myself I have had many a morning waking up with my sinuses running, I took an otc sinus med. it seemed to help. I have been told to use my humidifier, but I see, that you are using yours. I have never used mine (knock on wood) When I first got my Cpap Machine 5 years ago the RT @ Apria Rip off said that if I didn't have to use the humidifier not to use it,and that I would be better off if I didn't use it. So 5 years later I am still not using it and I am not having any sinus problems. jmho
I would say try using it as a passover humidifier. If it's heated don't turn it on for a couple of days and see if that helps.
Good luck.

Thanks Patrick,I really do think i'm going to try that tonight!

[Emilia]

I wonder if you are allergic to the materials in the mask or tubing? If this corresponds to using the equipment in both instances of using it, it seems it has to be related to the equipment. You are definitely reacting to something in the system. At least that is what it seems like to me in reading your account. Best of luck sorting this out. I hope your allergist can help you isolate the allergen.

[Hospiceangel]

Sister,
I'm so sorry, it sounds miserable.
I'm an RN but a newbie to CPAP too. Some of the folks that have more experience jump on in, but are you using distilled water and is there anyway that "something" is colonized somewhere in the machine?
Can you change the humidifier reservoir?
What about those in line bacterial/viral filters?
Do you think that would help? Just a thought.
Shar:)
Don't give up and keep us posted.

[LoQ]

It sounds like you have a pseudoallergy. It has the same symptoms as a true allergy, but it is not caused by an allergen. It could be difficult to treat. I don't think much is known about what causes pseudoallergies.

Have you been using the same brand of water in your humidifier the whole time? I like the passover suggestion, but I would like the suggestion of disconnecting the humidifier entirely and trying that even better. If that solved the problem, then you would know where to focus your attention as you try to find a way to make the humidifier work.

You might also want to try pseudoephedrine. It will help to dry up your running nose, but it also may have a tendency to keep you awake. Still, it might be worth taking pseudoephedrine in the morning, then taking a nap with CPAP.

Which of the three masks are you using?

[LoQ]

I wonder if you are allergic to the materials in the mask or tubing?

Seems unlikely. She is having inhaled allergen symptoms. I don't think there are any allergens in the mask or tubing. (You have to have a protein for that.) There might be something in the water, and she should definitely think about using a different brand.

If she were allergic to something in the mask or tubing, she would be having a different kind of reaction.

Change the filter. Buy new filters, make sure you store them in an air-tight bag or something. Don't let the pets into your bedroom. Remove the machine from the room before you vacuum or clean or change the bed.

[rosiefrosie]

I use to get that way about once a week since I started cpap. It would last for a day then be gone for a few days. Sneezing, runny nose, watery and itchy eyes. I bought an air purifier and have not had problems since and that's been close to a year now.

rosie

[LoQ]

I bought an air purifier and have not had problems since and that's been close to a year now.

rosie

A room air purifier is an excellent suggestion.